Follow by Email

Followers

Grab My Blinkie

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon):Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.

A story of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year, The Thursday Night Club will make you look at the holiday season in new ways.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: What a great story and beautifully written. A positive novel is so many ways. A refreshing story about four college students that do amazing things in the memory of their friend who was tragically taken from them.

Favorite Character(s): All of them are my favorite characters. I really can't just pick one as they are so special in their own way and do so much good.

Fast read/slow read: Very fast.

Cover: So calming and perfect.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Absolutely. Steven Manchester reminds me of a Richard Paul Evans - feel good books, with positive messages, and leaves you wanting more.

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers Twelve Months and The Rockin’ Chair and the novelsGoodnight, Brian and Pressed Pennies. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning, and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Manchester’s short stories were selected 101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Devi's life isn't turning out at all like she wanted. She wasted the past three years going out with Bryan—cute, adorable, break-your-heart Bryan. Devi let her friendships fade, blew off studying, didn't join any clubs . . . and now that Bryan has broken up with her, she has nothing left.

Not even her stupid cell phone—she dropped it in the mall fountain. Now it only calls one number . . . hers. At age fourteen, three years ago!

Once Devi gets over the shock—and convinces her younger self that she isn't some wacko—she realizes that she's been given an awesome gift. She can tell herself all the right things to do . . . because she's already done all the wrong ones! Who better to take advice from than your future self?

Except . . .what if getting what you think you want changes everything?

Fans of Sarah Mlynowski's Magic in Manhattan series will love this hilarious new novel with a high-concept premise .

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Loved it! What an interesting twist of a book. Calling your younger self! This is the perfect time travel book for middle schoolers/young adults (oh heck - adults too). What I would tell me younger self…..Wow! 1. Be nice to everyone, it is okay to different. 2. Think with your head first, heart second. 3. Go back home!

Favorite Character(s): Freshman Devi! She is too funny.

Fast read/slow read: Super fast! You won't want to put it down

Cover: Love it, but found these other ones too!

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: OF COURSE - I love Sarah Mlynowski!

Sarah is the author of both the WHATEVER AFTER and MAGIC IN MANHATTAN series, as well as DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT (March 2014), MILKRUN, FISHBOWL, AS SEEN ON TV, MONKEY BUSINESS, GIMME A CALL, TEN THINGS WE DID (AND PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE) and HOW TO BE BAD (along with E.Lockhart and Lauren Myracle). Sarah's short stories and novellas include A LITTLE BIT BROKEN, A NICE FLING IS HARD TO FIND, KNOW IT ALL and CRUISIN'. Sarah also co-edited the bestselling chick-lit collections GIRLS' NIGHT IN and GIRLS' NIGHT OUT and co-wrote the first ever guide to writing chick lit, SEE JANE WRITE.

Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages and optioned to Hollywood. She was born in Montreal but now lives and writes in New York City.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Synopsis:Ellen and Andy’s first year of marriage doesn’t just seem perfect, it is perfect. There is no question how deep their devotion is, and how naturally they bring out the best in each other. But one fateful afternoon, Ellen runs into Leo for the first time in eight years. Leo, the one who brought out the worst in her. Leo, the one who left her heartbroken with no explanation. Leo, the one she could never quite forget. When his reappearance ignites long-dormant emotions, Ellen begins to question whether the life she’s living is the one she’s meant to live. At once heartbreaking and funny, Love the One You’re With is a tale of lost loves and found fortunes—and will resonate with anyone who has ever wondered what if.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: While I was hoping Ellen would realize what she had with Andy ( I really liked him - he was the safe choice)….going through her "what ifs" made for a very entertaining story. The twist/secret that Margot kept, I never saw coming. Favorite Character(s): Ellen….with the road(s) she was traveling down is one that is faced by many (both women and men).

Fast read/slow read: I listened to Love the One You're With and enjoyed it.

Cover: Cute, LOVE the daisy!

What Others Are Saying:"Giffin's talent lies in taking relatable situations and injecting with enough wit and suspense to make them feel fresh. The cat-and-mouse game between Ellen and Leo lights up these pages, their flirtation as dangerously addictive as a high-speed car chase. The ending isn't explosive, but what Ellen learns is quietly thrilling: Sometimes, you have to do whatever it taks to be with the one you love." --People

"Though it's easy to resent [Ellen] for taking [her] ideal life for granted, Giffin's vivid depictions of Ellen's steamy past with Leo help you commiserate with this realistically insecure woman." --Entertainment Weekly

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, I would!

Emily Giffin is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law. After practicing litigation at a Manhattan firm for several years, she moved to London to write full time. The author of six New York Times bestselling novels, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love The One You're With, Heart of the Matter, and Where We Belong, she lives in Atlanta with her husband and three young children. Visit www.emilygiffin.com.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Synopsis (from Amazon):The Carrie Diariesis the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.

Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small-town girl who knew she wanted more. The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets.She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture, and a friend's betrayal makes her question everything.

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we'll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: It is best to just start out saying….if you expect this to be Sex and The City, stop. This is a great book for young adults pre-Sex and The City. It is a cute story for teens. Now that is said….I liked The Carrie Diaries. I understand that there are things in the book that don't jive with the TV show….okay. I also liked the series (short-lived as it was), The Carrie Diaries. It reminded me of 90120 in NY!

Favorite Character(s): Carrie of course!

Fast read/slow read: Okay pace. I didn't find it very fast.

Cover: I like it!

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes. I really enjoyed Lipstick Jungle (and the show that they canceled) and One Fifth Avenue.

Candace Bushnell is the critically acclaimed bestselling author of The Carrie Diaries, Sex and The City, Lipstick Jungle, One Fifth Avenue, 4 Blondes, and Trading Up, which have sold millions of copies. Sex and The City was the basis for the HBO hit show and films of the same name. Lipstick Jungle became a popular television show on NBC. Candace lives in New York City.